Should I pay for everyone's dinner?

[kyra's mommy]

My husband's 40th birthday is in July and we are headed to Disneyworld. I invited his younger brother, his wife and two girls to come as well and my MIL and FIL are coming. His older brother lives in Orlando and his two girls will be with him. I'm a flight attendant so I am giving his younger brother's family free airline passes and my MIL and FIL are airline people as well so they are flying for free. They will all be paying for their expenses otherwise (hotels, park tickets, etc.). What I'm wondering is should I buy dinner for everyone the night we surprise my husband? I don't know if they are all renting cars so I should probably pick a hotel in DD or at their hotel (the Dolphin). It looks like the per plate prices are pretty high in any of the sit down restaurants so I could be looking at a $400-$600 dinner bill.

What is appropriate? Should I be paying for dinner or would that not be expected?

Thanks for your input!

 

[mb_uh]

I think it depends on the nature of the invite.

If you sent out invites to a party in Disney then = you pay.
If you told them you are having a special trip for DH and they may JOIN you = they pay.

Not sure of everyone financial situation or expectations based on relationship but I would feel obligated to offer to pay and then if they want to pay their own way let them It might mean that you pay for some but not all. I would also chose a place that DH would like but fits within a budget that you can afford or do lunch. You might also consider a buffet or fixed price place that might seem high but would give you controlled amount to budget for like Boma or O'hana just realize that you will have 18% tip no matter where in Disney you eat.

I think some Signatures offer lunch not on ddp which might be a nice compromise if you are looking for something high end.

 

[disneyhand]

I would pay for a surprise birthday dinner in a restaurant that I invited family to.

 

[nrpofp]

I would pay, but I would pick a restaurant thats moderate in price. I know that hard to do in WDW. Where I live its always mexican food and Margaritas when we want a good inexpensive meal. I have not eaten at the Biergarten, but it looks like a fun place to take a large group. I have eaten at Ohana. The food is good and you can watch the fireworks.

 

[Kat&Dom]

I would budget to pay for it but be prepared that your in-laws may insist on paying as it is all of their children getting together to have a meal. I know that my parents think that they should pay for any meal where all of our kids get together with them. You know your husband best if he would be okay with them paying for the dinner or not. If his brothers tell the server that they want separate bills for each family then I think it would be good for you to ask that the in-laws be included on your family bill so that you can pay for their meal. I don't know the financial situation of all involved parties but I know how it would work with my family. Typically, my brothers and I argue about who gets to pay and try our very best not to let our parents pay anything. LOL. You have to be crafty in our family to actually be able to treat others.

 

[cmwade77]

In our circles, since it is his birthday, everyone else would chip in and you and your husband would not pay for the meal, especially considering, you are giving them free airfare.

 

[disneylove69]

Try restaraunt.com. They offer deals at a few of the restaraunts at the Swan and House of Blues. You basically buy gift certificates. I got a few of the ones on the Swan/ dolphin property and house of Blues and paid $2 for a $25 gift certificate.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Here at home for birthdays, whomever does the inviting pays for the meal.

Disney is a different story. If you outright invite everyone to a dinner for your husband for his birthday, then yes, you should pay for it. Otherwise, they should foot their own bills.

If I were you and invited everyone thuse meaning you'll be paying for the meal, and if everyone has a rental car...there are several restaurants just off Disney property (we stayed off property literally a block from the entrance to the DTD hotels back in 2003, and were able to walk to an Olive Garden across the street from our hotel off Apopka Wineyard Roal). Plan a dinner at an off-site eatery. It'll be way cheaper than dining on property.

 

[goosedwn]

We were invited to a birthday dinner at a restaurant, we brought a gift for the birthday person and we also have to pay for his meal. The party was about 25 people.

 

[marcemc]

I would pay for a surprise birthday dinner in a restaurant that I invited family to.

this

 

[*sarah*]

I would pay.

 

[SandrA9810]

The Grand Floridian Cafe is a very lovely lunch alternative to a high priced dinner. I ate there once for lunch, and they had some nice classy stuff on the menu, like Tuna and regular stuff like burgers.

If anything, let them know you'll cover an entree and regular drink. But they can pay for the $10 alcohol if they need it. I guess there's a polite way to put it, if you're not into having drinks or wine with lunch. It seems more of a dinner thing than a lunch thing to have an alcoholic drink.

Here's the menu
http://allears.net/menu/men_gfcl.htm

 

[aprilgail2]

you invite you pay- thats how we always work it. I would be embarrassed to invite people to a birthday dinner and then give them a bill for it!

 

[louey]

Happy Birthday to your husband!!! I think you should definately pay for dinner JMO, hope you have a Great time

 

[antmaril]

I think it's wonderful that the family is joining you at WDW to help celebrate your husband's 40th birthday. Sounds like big fun.

I would pay for the surprise birthday dinner.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I have had three surprise parties for dh (last was this year for 40th) and I have paid for the food and nonalcoholic drinks as dh doesn't drink. I told them in advance and that, if they wanted alcohol it was available for them to buy. Some chose to do so, while others did not.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yes, if you invited them for a meal at a restaurant, you should pay. We just returned after a trip where we invited 8 of our son's friends. They paid for their own tickets and dining/shopping on their own. We provided transportation down to and from WDW (via cars), hotel lodging on the way down (three hotel rooms, two nights), food in the villa and one character breakfast at Chef Mickey's.

If you don't have an AP, get one (unless you are a Florida resident). Then you can purchase the Tables in Wonderland Card, You can get a 20% discount on your dining up to 10 people (and an automatic 18% gratuity) and save some money. TIW card costs $75 for AP holders and will be good for about 13 months on nearly every TS restaurant and some CS as well.

 

[ADKSPiette]

Personally, I would offer to contribute to the cost of the meal, as part of my contribution to the birthday gift. In realizing that the cost for any meal for multiple people in Disney is going to be a HUGE expense, I couldn't eat without offering something to defray the cost.

 

[luvmy3]

I invited dh's sister and brother, their families, his dad and Smom out to dinner for his birthday this year and I paid for everyone's meal.

 

[wishesuponastar]

If I invite people to a restaurant for an occasion, I pay the bill. Happy birthday to your DH.